Queer Hardcore Summer Fest – 6/3/17 – Mortegliano, Italy

Already a tradition for Radio Punk and the punk mobile, the festintenda in Mortegliano (UD) welcomes us for the summer punk meeting in Friuli, this year called “Queer Hardcore Summer Festival – Punx vs. Homophobia”. For this edition, Professional Punkers and HC Underground Trieste, on the occasion of the Gay Pride which will take place on June 10th in Udine, thought of taking a stand against homophobia and sexism.

The festival started with an acoustic set: Menagramo, a folk punk duo with washboard and guitar, and I Like Allie.

The heavy punk set started with Furgone, which in my opinion is the band of the year: hc, entertainment and disorder. They had a guy in the audience sing a song after threatening not to get off the stage in case he didn’t perform with the band. At the end of the set they announced the last track but never performed it because of a (fake) fight among them, then they left the stage. Hardcore in the true sense of the word. Unfortunately there were few people under the stage, I hope to see them again because I enjoyed them, they’re young and powerful!

After that, it was the turn of Sho, a brilliant instrumental group I couldn’t appreciate because it’s something a bit different from my taste.

Stage change with Round7, a band from Vicenza which just like last year attacked the stage with powerful riffs and a lot of charisma. It’s always a pleasure to see this very good New York style Hardcore band.

Then there were Vivere Merda, a group I’ve seen a lot of times in recent years (and I used to complain I had never seen them). Alessia’s voice is unmistakable, old style anarcho-punk with the inevitable song “Nazi Merde” which means “Nazi Scum” to ignite the audience.

Next, from Florence, Carlos Dunga enthralled a lot with their hardcore punk with metal and crossover influences, also thanks to Ivan, who is really wild on stage. Among the best of the evening, I must say!

After a well-deserved beer break, I noticed Straight Opposition with a new lineup. It was the first time I saw them with a bass player. A violent sound and a wild frontman. That’s why the band from Pescara has been going very far.

Kambo’s unmistakable voice let me know that Raw were going to perform. Then I saw him, dressed like a priest with sadomaso panties and mask. With a whip in one hand and a Bible in the other he started reciting religious verses.
The hard and violent Punk hardGore group from Cagliari offers an indescribable show, so if you can you must absolutely see them. A group deserving great respect, as far as I am concerned, pure punk, a mix of GG Allin’s contemptous attitude, lack of shame and Discharge. Whips and sadomaso look to teach that sexuality, as long as consensual, is not to be judged. Great!

It’s hard to judge the next group, Vecchia Scuola, after seeing what was the best group of the evening.
However, the band from Trieste displayed their punk, oi! and hardcore arsenal. Nice trio, even if their songs didn’t fill me with enthusiasm.

CGB: a blast. Last year they were the best, this year they were no less and the audience could only worship them. There is a great feeling among them and they are a beautiful d.i.y. family, as their sticker says.
Tracks like “Icaro” and “Brucia” drive me crazy and are the perfect example of how the 4 Ligurians’ great technique pairs well with an incredible personality on stage. Superb.

Next were Discomostro, a band that impressed me so much with “Mostrofonia” and I had long waited to see on stage. Though they only played 3 tracks because of time limit, they are a great band. Many would have been discouraged or pissed off, they still had fun despite the short time available and they deserve consideration. I can’t wait to see them for a whole concert.

In the end the headliners, Sewage, whose leader is Spike Polite (ex Reagan Youth singer) played for a short time but performed well. A punk rock mixed with 80’s hardcore that didn’t leave me particularly ecstatic but still enjoyable. “New Aryans” raised the level, however, great respect for a symbolic figure of punk.

I will conclude both with compliments and constructive criticism in view of the next fest.
Unfortunately, having 12 bands in a single day is a complicated choice and turned out to be a problem. There weren’t many people and the first groups played in front of nothing; the location didn’t help because of the heat and the absence of lakes or streams; the punk scene in Friuli is little and fragmented. With so many groups you risk ending up with tired and little interested people, and cutting setlists due to time limits.
However, there are also many positive sides: people having a good time, the location in green space, the bands, Ruggero from Professional Punkers, Davide from HC Trieste and the other organizers who worked hard for it. Even when something goes wrong, total respect and support to those who never give up, who create and propose.
It will be definitely better next year with some change here and there, I’m sure.
Despite the criticism, a positive rating for the passion and the atmosphere.
Thank you and see you next time!